Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:

SCTA, Secretary/Treasurer

Jim Fitzgerald

610 Stegall Road

Pelzer, SC 29669

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Greetings fellow trappers!

As of this writing, our Bill has not been passed. We’re in a “hurry up and wait” mode; and we’ll let y’all know the minute we hear anything.

Thanks to all our members that supported and participated in the Palmetto Sportsman Classic in March. A good time was had by all.

I would like to bring a matter to your attention.

Recently, in the NTA and Trappers’ World magazine; discussions were held about ethics and the trappers’ responsibilities.

The recent increases in fur prices, may seem to be a good thing on the surface; but along with these increases comes a whole new can of worms.

While at the Palmetto Sportsman Classic, I overheard indiviuals as they were passing through the display; and said if fur prices were going up, they should buy traps and trap for themselves. We must be vigilent folks, we don’t want individuals jumping in for the quick buck. These are the types of individuals that would go down to the local hardware store to buy a dozen traps, set them and never check them. We trappers in South Carolina have worked too long and hard to have laws changed in our favor. We could loose it all in a blink of an eye, for some indiviual’s greed .

All of our actions , whether they be on social networks such as youtube, facebook etc concerning trapping are under scrutiny. Certain anti groups feed off of these sites and this fuels their fury. Lets’ not give them fuel for their fire.

We should be proud to be trappers and proud of our trapping heritage. Our actions and our words,while in the public eye, should always put forth a positive image;so that we don’t loose any of the prescious ground we have gained. Remember: “Every trap set, comes with responsibility.”

Glad to see our site back up again. I get the impression that there are those that think just because you have a trap and a Lic. you are free to do as you please. I can assure you that I trap in one of the most remote places in the upstate mountains of Oconee county and I have been checked 3 times by D.N.R. last year. I applaude the S.C.D.N.R. for their rentless efforts and with thier budget cuts, they still manage to do a great job. Also, I feel the subject of “colleteral damage ” needs to be addressed as well. Many times when we are talking to land owners, we fail to explain the possibilities of catching something other than targeted animals. I was turned down 2 different occasions last season by this lack of communication to the land owner and previous trappers. On my permission paper that the land owner and I both sign, I have a clause that plainly states this possibility and that when possible, I will release any “non target” animals. This would be a good idea for other trappers to include in their agreement also. Trapping for the money alone is a BAD IDEA in any respect. You have to have trapping in your heart and blood to be sucessful at this trade and not just thinking of your wallet. I have been trapping for 52 years this past June 22nd and I can assure you that I have made more money cutting grass than trapping. Trapping has been good to me and my family, dont get me wrong, but it comes from the heart, not the HIP!

I haven’t been trapping for more than 10 years, most of which was muskrat and raccoon in NY. I’ve just started an attempt at coyote trapping and I wanted to know of any individuals in SC who do trap coyote regular. I am just looking to shadow someone setting up a trap line to make sure I am doing things right. Coyote can be finnicky and very cautious and I’d like to learn from an experienced coyote trapper if at all possible. Thank you all in advance.